My parents have had many trips back and forth from the doctors over the past 2 months with flu like symptoms. My mum has had 3 courses of antibiotics and nothing seems to be helping. Apparently there are a lot of bugs like what you're describing going around that are lasting for around 8 weeks, and the doctors can't really do anything accept for tell you to let it run its course. Just know, it is going around where I am, and because we are bot in Aus, I'm guessing it could be going around where you are, too. Hopefully it won't get in the way of your study. I hope it's nothing serious!

With your study, don't stress about it, you can only get the best score you can, whether you stress or not. So it's easier not to stress! (Easier said than done, I know...). I was one week away from my due date of giving birth to Noah on top of having the flu when I had my final exams. All you can do is practise answering some example questions as you said you have been doing. Break it all down into small parts so you don't get too overwhelmed. Focus on one section at a time, and don't move on to the next until you are positive you know it inside out. Give yourself breaks with plenty of rest and study at parts of the day when you can concentrate the best, maybe after lunch, and definately not late at night, especially if you are sick

Just know you can only do your best, and good luck!

It's definitely not a cold - otherwise your doctor wouldn't have prescribed you antibiotics. The common cold can't be "cured" with antibiotics, unfortunately.


Anyways - have you ever used the Vicks shower thing? It's a little medicated thing that you just set in your shower/bath tub while showering - it's activated by the heat/steam. It works with the steam (which helps as well) to help clear your lungs/airways. And it works wonders. You don't even have to be IN the shower...you can just sit in the closed bathroom with the hot water running. It works like a charm for me - I recommend it to everyone! I don't know what on earth the thing is called...I just know you can purchase it at almost every drug store in America. Hopefully you can find some in Australia as well!

I definitely understand your nerves about your grades. I am quite the perfectionist when it comes to myself. I tend to have extremely high standards for myself, while I don't have high enough standards for those around me! I was especially crazy when it came to my school marks. The best thing I can say is to go in there as confident as possible ... the better you FEEL, the better you'll do. Just keep reminding yourself how much you know the material, and keep yourself prepared by skimming the material again every couple of days. Don't overwhelm yourself, though. I found that overloading my brain with information always did more harm than good! Give yourself plenty of time to relax and rewind. You got this!

Wow...that was longer than I intended. Good luck to you!

I don't understand your schooling system? Lol I don't get what you mean by all the test and such. Do you go to school all year? When is your summer break? I'm so lost lol. Sorry I'm from Canada, I think it's different over here, can some one please explain it to me?

I hope your illness goes away soon, I can't offer much advice other than to go back to the doctor, try to de-stress yourself as much as you can since it could be working against you and making your illness worse.
I'd also suggest that you stay away from much dairy.

As for your exams, you've just got to keep reminding yourself that you've been taught and know everything.
I understand your 'perfectionist' thing. Last year I got 80% on a small maths exam in which most other people didn't even pass (with a lot not even getting 20%), I had circumstances that should have left me very happy with that result but I was really disappointed.
I'm the youngest in a big family by a lot and all I keep getting told by my siblings is that once you get into uni, you'll look back at the stress you put on yourself in VCE and find it ridiculous. When you're in uni, your results quickly become way less important and if you don't get a score that gets you into the course your after, there are other paths that will let you get into the same course - just a bit later than you're currently planning.

unique names wrote:

QUOTE:
I don't understand your schooling system? Lol I don't get what you mean by all the test and such. Do you go to school all year? When is your summer break? I'm so lost lol. Sorry I'm from Canada, I think it's different over here, can some one please explain it to me?

In Australia our seasons are reversed from yours - summer is over christmas/new years and winter is in the middle of the year/now, we have our summer break in our summer at the end of the year, our summer break is smaller than yours though at 6-7weeks. The seasons mean that our school year runs with the calendar year, so we begin at the end of Jan/beginning of Feb and end in December.
We have four terms, two semesters, with exams at the end of each semester. We are currently finishing our first semester.

I don't start VCE until next year and I haven't been paying much attention to the different testing systems so emily (or another Aussie) will probably correct me here but from what I understand SAC's are sort of like practice exams - they're not as important as the main exams but they're still of some importance.

it sounds as though you may be run down! sometimes cough's can last longer so ventolin may help to ease it but i suggest going back to your doctor!


do you feel tired really easily and cant do much??

if yes it could be a possibility you have glandular fever its most common in people aged 15-25 i think and can take a while to get over! if untreated it could cause damage to your heart and liver as well as getting chronic fatigue! I am currently getting tested for this after having tonsilitis and a chest infection for the last 3 or so weeks! so it could be that the doctor thought it was just a bacterial/viral infection but it could have been the start of glandular fever! although it cannot be treated doctors suggest rest to help with the recovery! its usually diagnosed by a blood test so i suggest going to your doctor they may suggest this or it may just be that you have a chest infection of some sort!

to get rid of the mucus i would suggest a hot steamy room or get someone to pat your back around where the lungs are positioned and this could help to loosen the mucus so you can cough it up!

hope this helps and that your better soon!

Thanks everyone for your words of encouragement, just an update to be had.

My exams are over, thank-god. I think I did poorly to alright on Biology, I know I could have done better. The GAT was absolutely ridiculous the worst 3 hours of my life, but I now know all about wolves - don't ask.

I'm getting better, my lungs have started to clear but I still have a horrible cough in the mornings and nights and on top of that, my knee has been acting up today (though it has been raining), I suspect I may have a little arthritis in it - bad netball injury from my playing years - having little to no cartilage left in it doesn't help either.

I think I'm going to have to start taking my iron tablets again, I'm feeling like I sort of feel how I felt with glandular fever, just not as bad. Low on iron never helps.

Now for some more personal replies:

@Angel, I do have asthma but its mild and when I have it, its always a dry annoying cough. As I said above, my lungs have started to clear and I feel a little better.

@shann, my dad's had it for quite a while so it definitely is lingering. A lot of people at school have also had it and because we couldn't afford time off leading up to exams we were all bringing it to school. Doesn't help. I can't help but stress and because I am stressing I'm running myself down. I've stressed so much on PE coming up I've lost all the self-confidence I had in myself. I know the material but I'm seconding guessing myself. I've sat in the office of my PE teacher 3 times last week trying to sort myself out, no such help. Doesn't help that he will be on year 8 camp when I have the SAC so I can't ask him any last minute stuff.

@Colbi, I hate the smell of Vicks so there was no chance I was going to use it. I just use the gel/rub stuff, it works but stinks. Thank-you for your words of encouragement.

@unique names, see Jayah's explanation.

@Jayah, you explained the education system perfectly. SAC's are self assessed coursework. They lead to about 33% for your total end mark.

@twomummies, I had glandular fever last year, so definitely not that. I missed nearly 10 weeks of school.